Itinerary
- Day 1
Tokyo
You'll arrive in Tokyo and check into your hotel from 3:00 PM onward. The tour kicks off with an information pack at your hotel, then you'll meet your tour leader and other travelers for a traditional welcome dinner at a local restaurant to start your 13-day Japan adventure.
- Start point
- Tokyo Prefecture, Japan (Hotel in Tokyo, 18:00)
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional welcome dinner in Tokyo)
Included Activities
- Traditional welcome dinner in Tokyo
- Day 2
Tokyo
After breakfast, you'll join a sightseeing tour that covers the Meiji Shrine and Senso-ji Temple. The rest of the morning and afternoon are free for you to walk through Tsukiji Fish Market and Takeshita Street, where you can grab lunch and shop. This evening, there's an optional Tokyo+ excursion that includes Skytree Tower, dinner in Omoide Yokocho, and a walking tour of Shinjuku.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sightseeing tour of Tokyo
- Visit the Meiji Shrine
- Visit the Senso-ji Temple
- Explore the Tsukiji Fish Market
- Explore Takeshita Street
Optional Activities
- Tokyo+ excursion including visit to Skytree Tower for panoramic city views, dinner in Omoide Yokocho, and walking tour of Shinjuku City
Landmarks Meiji Shrine Senso-ji Temple Tsukiji Fish Market Takeshita Street Tokyo Skytree Tower Shinjuku - Day 3
Tokyo - Kamakura - Hakone - Shizuoka
You'll travel to Shizuoka with scenic stops along the way. First stop is Kamakura, where you'll see the Great Buddha and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shinto shrine. Then you'll head to Hakone on the shores of Lake Ashi, which offers views of Mount Fuji. After free time for lunch and exploring on your own, you'll continue to Shizuoka and check into your hotel with the evening to yourself.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit the Great Buddha in Kamakura
- Visit the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shinto shrine
- Visit Hakone Shrine on the shores of Lake Ashi
- Photo stop to capture Mount Fuji
Landmarks Great Buddha of Kamakura Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shinto Shrine Hakone Shrine Mount Fuji Lake Ashi 
- Day 4
Shizuoka - Makinohara - Iga
This day focuses on Japanese traditions starting at a green tea farm in Makinohara where you'll learn how Japan's most popular tea is produced. After lunch, you'll tour a miso factory to see traditional production methods firsthand. Later, you'll visit the Toyota Museum to see an impressive collection of vintage vehicles and memorabilia before heading to Iga for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit a green tea plantation in Makinohara
- Tour a miso factory
- Explore the Toyota Museum
Landmarks Makinohara Tea Farm Toyota Museum 
- Day 5
Iga - Osaka
After breakfast, you'll head to the Iga Ninja Museum to learn about ninja martial artists and watch a weapons demonstration. Next comes the Kehaya Sumo Museum to explore sumo wrestling history. You'll then travel to Osaka for an orientation tour of the city's main highlights, followed by free time in the vibrant Dotonbori district to try street food. Tonight features an optional Wagyu beef dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit the Iga Ninja Museum
- Witness a Ninja skill and weaponry demonstration
- Visit the Kehaya Sumo Museum
- Orientation tour of Osaka
- Explore the Dotonbori district
Optional Activities
- Dinner featuring finest Wagyu beef
Landmarks Iga Ninja Museum Kehaya Sumo Museum Dotonbori 
- Day 6
Osaka - Himeji - Hiroshima
You'll depart Osaka and travel toward Hiroshima, stopping at Himeji Castle (built in the 14th century) to enjoy the views and explore its well-preserved interior. Continuing on, you'll arrive in Hiroshima and check into your hotel for a two-night stay. The evening includes an included Okonomiyaki dinner, a savory Japanese pancake and local specialty.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Okonomiyaki dinner)
Included Activities
- Visit the beautiful Himeji Castle
- Okonomiyaki dinner
Landmarks Himeji Castle 
- Day 7
Hiroshima
You'll spend a full day exploring Hiroshima's major sights. In the morning, you'll walk across the historic Kintaikyo Bridge and visit the Itsukushima Shrine with its famous floating torii gate on Miyajima Island. Free time for lunch allows you to try momiji manju, a local sweet treat. Back in Hiroshima, you'll visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum to learn about the atomic bombing's impact. Your evening is free to explore Nagarekawa district or relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walk along the impressive Kintaikyo Bridge
- Visit the Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island
- Pay your respects at the Peace Memorial Park and Museum
Optional Activities
- Visit the Nagarekawa district for nightlife
Landmarks Kintaikyo Bridge Itsukushima Shrine Miyajima Island Peace Memorial Park Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum Nagarekawa District - Day 8
Hiroshima - Kurashiki - Kyoto
After breakfast, you'll travel to Kurashiki, a charming town known for peaceful canals and historic rice storehouses. You can explore the town center and museums, or take a punting boat through the waterways. In the early afternoon, you'll head to Kyoto and visit the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest to walk through towering bamboo groves. The rest of your evening is free to do as you please.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore the peaceful, canal-lined town of Kurashiki
- Experience the enchanting city of Kyoto
- Wander through the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Optional Activities
- Punting boat experience in Kurashiki
- Visit museums in Kurashiki
Landmarks Kurashiki Arashiyama Bamboo Forest 
- Day 9
Kyoto
You'll explore Kyoto's cultural heritage, visiting the Fushimi Inari Taisha with its iconic rows of red torii gates, then the impressive Kiyomizu Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 1,200 years of history. You'll also visit Kinkakuji, the 'Golden Pavilion' Zen temple with gold-leaf covered top floors. An optional evening excursion lets you explore the Gion district's arts and culture scene.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Stand in awe of Fushimi Inari Taisha
- Explore the Kiyomizu Temple
- Discover Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion
Optional Activities
- Evening excursion exploring the Gion district's arts and culture
Landmarks Fushimi Inari Taisha Kiyomizu Temple Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) Gion District 
- Day 10
Kyoto - Hikone - Gujo Hachiman - Takayama
You'll travel through several Japanese destinations starting in Hikone on the shores of Lake Biwa. You'll visit the serene 17th-century Genkyuen Garden and see the Edo-period Hikone Castle. Heading to Gifu Prefecture, you'll explore Gujo Hachiman, a riverside town with peaceful waterways. You'll continue to Takayama and discover the historic Sanmachi district with insights into Edo-period artisans and merchants. The day ends with authentic sake tasting at a quirky store featuring sake vending machines.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Genkyuen Garden in Hikone
- Admire Hikone Castle
- Admire the tranquil waterways of Gujo Hachiman
- Experience Edo-period Japan in Takayama's Sanmachi district
- Taste authentic Japanese Sake
Landmarks Genkyuen Garden Hikone Castle Lake Biwa Gujo Hachiman Takayama Sanmachi District 
- Day 11
Takayama - Shirakawa-go - Kanazawa
After breakfast, you'll visit Takayama Jin'ya, a former Edo-period government building, then explore the Gassho-Zukuri Minka-en Open Air Museum with old farmhouses showing unique architectural styles from Japan's mountainous regions. You'll then travel to Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Japanese Alps that feels like stepping into a fairytale. In the afternoon, you'll journey to Kanazawa and visit the Kenrokuen Garden. Tonight offers an optional Flavours of Kanazawa excursion to taste seasonal products and seafood.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Takayama Jin'ya
- Visit the Gassho-Zukuri Minka-en Open Air Museum
- Travel back in time in Shirakawa-go
- Discover the unmatched beauty of Kenrokuen Garden
Optional Activities
- Flavours of Kanazawa optional excursion featuring exquisite seasonal products and seafood tasting
Landmarks Takayama Jin'ya Gassho-Zukuri Minka-en Open Air Museum Shirakawa-go Kenrokuen Garden 
- Day 12
Kanazawa - Tokyo
You'll spend the morning exploring Kanazawa, a quieter alternative to Kyoto with similar charm. You'll discover the famous Nagamachi Samurai District, wander its cobblestone streets, and visit a former samurai home. In the afternoon, you'll head to the train station and board the Shinkansen bullet train to Tokyo, traveling at speeds up to 320 kph (200 mph). After checking into your hotel, you'll enjoy a farewell group dinner this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell group dinner)
Included Activities
- Visit a former Samurai home in Kanazawa
- Explore the Nagamachi Samurai District
- Take the Shinkansen bullet train to Tokyo
- Farewell group dinner in Tokyo
Landmarks Nagamachi Samurai District - Day 13
Tokyo
Your 13-day tour concludes this morning after breakfast. You'll swap contact details with fellow travelers before heading home to keep the memories alive.
- End point
- Tokyo Prefecture, Japan (Hotel in Tokyo, 10:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast
